I both agree with you, and believe we are asking too much from the individuals who have already stepped up — and building a habit of complaining about them instead of organizing ourselves.
Of course the Democratic Party is institutional and bureaucratic. Of course it tries to monetize: we can volunteer, they can't. When I was younger, not-corrupt politicians trying their best would have been seen as a miracle.
We need our own lists. We need to have organizations that could have asked Cory Booker for what they needed, and are able to deliver votes, not complained afterwards.
What can each of us be doing in our neighborhoods? How do we stop asking the Democratic politicians who are already in the crossfire to build the movement we should build?
Where is my action-kit that I can take to my communities (I dance, I go to vegetarian events, to the protest) and be really prepared to mobilize the people in those communities who want to mobilize and are waiting for the politicians to lead?
I went to my protest: no one got my name. No one gave me a list of two dozen ways I could help after the protest. No one trained me in communications so I can talk to conservatives back home. No one connected me to my neighbors.
I think Booker did his job and deserves celebration. What can I do besides complain? Anyone out there feel the same way I do and want to put somewhat serious time together on something more creative than giving Movement Voter Project another $50 (which yes is great) — what would neighborhood organizing at protests look like, that gave everybody involved a clear path to find and take on their piece of the puzzle so the politicians aren't the only movement leaders?
I got a text asking for money from Cory Booker the next day. I hit reply -- useless, I know -- and wrote: "Ask me for anything besides money! To go to a protest, join a zoom meeting, write my representatives, anything!
Spot on! The barrage of fundraising emails I received in the days after Booker's speech started making me less enthusiastic about the speech. Has the Democratic Party lost the ability to have authentic moments that aren't monetized immediately?
Was disappointed that they aren’t helping me in any way to protest or rally, even with the big email engines running.
Maybe we can get them to start with
NEXT RALLY - April 19 - look here(a link) for a location near you.
Also think we need a Take Back Our Liberty national event on July 4 - everywhere. Headlined by Bruce Springsteen and others with Progressive Senators and Governors and Conresspersons to motivate
Even better - east coast ones at trump golf club doors. Take the Thunder to 900 lamberton Road bedminster nj.
Groups ask for money because they are more likely to get that instead of volunteers to do the real work (ie, grunt work) that goes along with organizing.
A suburban Indivisible group was able to put together an April 5 rally with only five days to do so because local folks reached out explaining how it was difficult due to child care, adult care, disability, etc., to get to the very large urban city that was hosting the rally. And guess what? More than 1,000 of us showed up! All because a couple of people reached out to the organizing group.
I sent a thank you email to that group for putting together the rally in such a short turnaround time and shared that I hope that they do more here instead of the big city. Their response? "We also want to but there are only so many of us. Will you come help us?" I have no organizing experience whatsoever, and also no extra cash floating around to donate. But I take instruction really well, am willing to learn and to do what it takes to make a difference so I said yes. Based on the reaction to my answer, I get the feeling that the organization asks for help all the time but nobody is willing to actually do the work.
So, if nobody is reaching out to you to tell you what to do, then reach out to a group that you like and ask them what you can do to help! It may take a few days to respond because there's probably only one person answering emails.
IDK, I was so moved by Booker's moment that I happily contributed a symbolic $18 (hopefully to his campaign—maybe to another outfit, I might be an impulsive idiot there) just to say YES YES MORE OF THIS, PLEASE. I wanted to stand up and cheer (well, actually I did—multiple times), but since he couldn't see me in my kitchen, I sent my surrogate in the form of $18. Totally agree with you that it was probably useless and symbolic, but I wanted him to know how much he was appreciated. It was my $18 thank you note.
Thank you Allison. Just because a Senator’s fundraising team is single focused doesn’t make it wrong. I donate all the time & too much.
I agree protests, letters and town halls are the way to go. But Booker did a big encouraging speech right before the Protest season gets in gear. I also protest & write letters, and interact on this communication log.
The question is still
THE QUESTION
What can we do? What can Democrats do? What can Congress do? What can the Supreme Court do?
We have to do everything, and more. Especially talk to our friends & neighbors, and maybe some Trumpies. (Be careful and carry a big shield.)
We are in uncharted waters. We need some brilliant people to continue to step up with new & better ideas. Some focus on individual areas.
Got a Booker email. Thought exactly the same thing. Didn't donate a cent.
Also, It is beyond me why Democrats continue to RAGE donate into races that can never be won. It literally takes 30 seconds to Google a district to check how Red it is and then understand that it doesn't matter which democrat runs they will never win. Never. I've saved a lot of money doing that. 😎
I wish there way some way to educate people without trying to explain the whole industry, but more than that, I really wish Booker had seized the moment and directed people to do as you suggested. I believe the base is wishing to embrace ANYONE who behaves in a positive, time-defining way and exhorts them, "Follow me."
I read hundreds of comments every week that beg, "Tell me what to do because I live in [Peoria] [Wichita] [the Emerald City] and I'm desperate to make a difference." Booker had a moment to tell them, and I'm concerned that he has almost entirely squandered it.
Thank you, this is a great point. I’ve been thinking a lot about the TX state legislature lately (yes, nerd alert) and how the democratic opposition is so meek. They are the minority party but they don’t engage constituents, they don’t talk about dangerous bills republicans are jamming, they don’t hold meetings or round tables or discussions with people. They are in a legislative session right now and seem to have no idea how to mobilize people and an opposition. Weak sauce.
My messenger app was deluged before, during and for days after Mr Booker took to the floor. Similar asks, similar language. Non stop. The flood has slowed down, but the most recent dropped about 90 min ago. As you note, he did a good thing - for himself, his campaign, his party and the country. And then ruined it. Of course, we don't - yet - know how much the panhandling brought in, but I'm sure someone, maybe you, will let us know.
eta - Neighbors and I joined what looked like thousands at the Oakland, CA demo at city hall plaza and the march to the federal building. Granted, I couldn't hear the speakers, but I didn't see anything that looked like follow-up. Maybe the outreach model has changed. Turnout suggests something worked.
A note about volunteer contact lists. Over several decades, every Dem campaign I've worked on that relied on the county or state Democratic Party organization was notable for dismantling connections and keeping that information out of the hands of activist groups. As if we are all extras in their movie. Or a threat to their control.
I think the constant barrage of requests for donations is hard to justify. The Democratic Party has ignored rural areas because they are in “red states” since before Obama. We don’t need a party that ignores our constituents regardless of their addresses. Especially when the opposition is blatantly a criminal and responsible for mismanagement of a deadly epidemic and a deadly insurrection.
I both agree with you, and believe we are asking too much from the individuals who have already stepped up — and building a habit of complaining about them instead of organizing ourselves.
Of course the Democratic Party is institutional and bureaucratic. Of course it tries to monetize: we can volunteer, they can't. When I was younger, not-corrupt politicians trying their best would have been seen as a miracle.
We need our own lists. We need to have organizations that could have asked Cory Booker for what they needed, and are able to deliver votes, not complained afterwards.
What can each of us be doing in our neighborhoods? How do we stop asking the Democratic politicians who are already in the crossfire to build the movement we should build?
Where is my action-kit that I can take to my communities (I dance, I go to vegetarian events, to the protest) and be really prepared to mobilize the people in those communities who want to mobilize and are waiting for the politicians to lead?
I went to my protest: no one got my name. No one gave me a list of two dozen ways I could help after the protest. No one trained me in communications so I can talk to conservatives back home. No one connected me to my neighbors.
I think Booker did his job and deserves celebration. What can I do besides complain? Anyone out there feel the same way I do and want to put somewhat serious time together on something more creative than giving Movement Voter Project another $50 (which yes is great) — what would neighborhood organizing at protests look like, that gave everybody involved a clear path to find and take on their piece of the puzzle so the politicians aren't the only movement leaders?
I got a text asking for money from Cory Booker the next day. I hit reply -- useless, I know -- and wrote: "Ask me for anything besides money! To go to a protest, join a zoom meeting, write my representatives, anything!
And did you hear anything back? No. This is a perfect illustration of the problem (and solution).
Nope. I assumed those texts can’t receive any reply besides $. Is that not the case?
Spot on! The barrage of fundraising emails I received in the days after Booker's speech started making me less enthusiastic about the speech. Has the Democratic Party lost the ability to have authentic moments that aren't monetized immediately?
I have received at least a dozen.
Was disappointed that they aren’t helping me in any way to protest or rally, even with the big email engines running.
Maybe we can get them to start with
NEXT RALLY - April 19 - look here(a link) for a location near you.
Also think we need a Take Back Our Liberty national event on July 4 - everywhere. Headlined by Bruce Springsteen and others with Progressive Senators and Governors and Conresspersons to motivate
Even better - east coast ones at trump golf club doors. Take the Thunder to 900 lamberton Road bedminster nj.
Groups ask for money because they are more likely to get that instead of volunteers to do the real work (ie, grunt work) that goes along with organizing.
A suburban Indivisible group was able to put together an April 5 rally with only five days to do so because local folks reached out explaining how it was difficult due to child care, adult care, disability, etc., to get to the very large urban city that was hosting the rally. And guess what? More than 1,000 of us showed up! All because a couple of people reached out to the organizing group.
I sent a thank you email to that group for putting together the rally in such a short turnaround time and shared that I hope that they do more here instead of the big city. Their response? "We also want to but there are only so many of us. Will you come help us?" I have no organizing experience whatsoever, and also no extra cash floating around to donate. But I take instruction really well, am willing to learn and to do what it takes to make a difference so I said yes. Based on the reaction to my answer, I get the feeling that the organization asks for help all the time but nobody is willing to actually do the work.
So, if nobody is reaching out to you to tell you what to do, then reach out to a group that you like and ask them what you can do to help! It may take a few days to respond because there's probably only one person answering emails.
IDK, I was so moved by Booker's moment that I happily contributed a symbolic $18 (hopefully to his campaign—maybe to another outfit, I might be an impulsive idiot there) just to say YES YES MORE OF THIS, PLEASE. I wanted to stand up and cheer (well, actually I did—multiple times), but since he couldn't see me in my kitchen, I sent my surrogate in the form of $18. Totally agree with you that it was probably useless and symbolic, but I wanted him to know how much he was appreciated. It was my $18 thank you note.
Thank you Allison. Just because a Senator’s fundraising team is single focused doesn’t make it wrong. I donate all the time & too much.
I agree protests, letters and town halls are the way to go. But Booker did a big encouraging speech right before the Protest season gets in gear. I also protest & write letters, and interact on this communication log.
The question is still
THE QUESTION
What can we do? What can Democrats do? What can Congress do? What can the Supreme Court do?
We have to do everything, and more. Especially talk to our friends & neighbors, and maybe some Trumpies. (Be careful and carry a big shield.)
We are in uncharted waters. We need some brilliant people to continue to step up with new & better ideas. Some focus on individual areas.
Please step up!
You are right on every front! The question is THE QUESTION.
Down with the fundraising consultants!
Maybe the fundraising consultants should read Mein Kamph again and develop new approaches.
Got a Booker email. Thought exactly the same thing. Didn't donate a cent.
Also, It is beyond me why Democrats continue to RAGE donate into races that can never be won. It literally takes 30 seconds to Google a district to check how Red it is and then understand that it doesn't matter which democrat runs they will never win. Never. I've saved a lot of money doing that. 😎
I also received loads of emails quoting Senator Booker and asking for donations. It demolished the pride and joy he had inspired in many of us.
Absolutely right. We will link at our Substack.
I wish there way some way to educate people without trying to explain the whole industry, but more than that, I really wish Booker had seized the moment and directed people to do as you suggested. I believe the base is wishing to embrace ANYONE who behaves in a positive, time-defining way and exhorts them, "Follow me."
I read hundreds of comments every week that beg, "Tell me what to do because I live in [Peoria] [Wichita] [the Emerald City] and I'm desperate to make a difference." Booker had a moment to tell them, and I'm concerned that he has almost entirely squandered it.
No, he did not squander it.
Do more and get out there and tell people what to do. !
Exactly George
Sadly, I received one of those begging emails.
Come on! It’s not sad! Even Sanders and AOC need money to travel the country doing a great job of motivating.
We need all hands on deck. Money is the easiest to do. But do more. Protest, write and get neighbors involved.
We just have a short window! It’s important!
Thank you, this is a great point. I’ve been thinking a lot about the TX state legislature lately (yes, nerd alert) and how the democratic opposition is so meek. They are the minority party but they don’t engage constituents, they don’t talk about dangerous bills republicans are jamming, they don’t hold meetings or round tables or discussions with people. They are in a legislative session right now and seem to have no idea how to mobilize people and an opposition. Weak sauce.
They are trying. Give them an idea!
James Talarico is doing a great job. And Vikki Goodwin. Where are the others? I provided about 5 ideas in my statement above for the others
I had many requests via Booker asking for money. Sorry, not biting. I have gone to several protests however.
Thanks for your post.
Give any way!
My messenger app was deluged before, during and for days after Mr Booker took to the floor. Similar asks, similar language. Non stop. The flood has slowed down, but the most recent dropped about 90 min ago. As you note, he did a good thing - for himself, his campaign, his party and the country. And then ruined it. Of course, we don't - yet - know how much the panhandling brought in, but I'm sure someone, maybe you, will let us know.
eta - Neighbors and I joined what looked like thousands at the Oakland, CA demo at city hall plaza and the march to the federal building. Granted, I couldn't hear the speakers, but I didn't see anything that looked like follow-up. Maybe the outreach model has changed. Turnout suggests something worked.
A note about volunteer contact lists. Over several decades, every Dem campaign I've worked on that relied on the county or state Democratic Party organization was notable for dismantling connections and keeping that information out of the hands of activist groups. As if we are all extras in their movie. Or a threat to their control.
I think the constant barrage of requests for donations is hard to justify. The Democratic Party has ignored rural areas because they are in “red states” since before Obama. We don’t need a party that ignores our constituents regardless of their addresses. Especially when the opposition is blatantly a criminal and responsible for mismanagement of a deadly epidemic and a deadly insurrection.